Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools utilizes the Unique Learning Systems curriculum (ULS), a standards based curriculum program specifically designed for learners with exceptionalities. 

The ULS curriculum program has been designed specifically for children with special learning needs. While the foundation of Unique is the academic content standards (reading, writing, math, science and social studies), the lessons are modified to make sure that all children have a way to participate and learn. There is a strong emphasis on life skills that are embedded in each lesson. Unique Learning System provides monthly units that teachers are able to access from the Unique website. Each month there is a new topic built around a science or social studies theme. There are six grade bands; Preschool, Elementary, Intermediate, Middle School, High School and Transition, so learning is new as children progress through the years. Your child’s teacher has selected the grade level band that matches the ages and grades of the children in his/her classroom. There is also a three-year cycle of new units for each grade band. In that way, your child will have new learning materials even if he or she is in the same classroom setting next year. Teachers who have worked with special learners have created all of Unique’s lessons and materials. Lessons include stories, chapter books, comprehension activities, writing activities, math lessons for time, money, counting and problem solving, as well as recipes, craft projects and science experiments. Many of the materials are designed in three levels so children of various abilities can actively participate. To help children who learn best with picture supports, materials have been created with symbols from SymbolStix PRIME®, the most complete and current symbol database available anywhere. These symbols can also be seen in books available in our online library called the n2y Library. n2y Library books can be used to help support the theme of the monthly unit, help build your child’s reading skills, or just for enjoyment. Unique Learning System has several tools that will help the classroom teacher monitor your child’s progress within classroom learning. 

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools also utilizes the Attainment Company's Teaching to the Standards: Math program, another standards based curriculum program specifically designed for learners with exceptionalities. 

• Years of research at UNCC have confirmed effectiveness

• Aligned with Common Core, state standards, and NCTM standards

• Fosters independence by systematically fading prompts as students move through the lessons

• Story problems connect math concepts with students’ real-life

• Provides teaching framework for future lessons and standards not in package to extend curriculum for multiple years

• Includes numerous instructional lesson options per unit with varied levels of teacher support

• Supports a variety of teaching and response preferences